Film industry experts discussed the challenges and opportunities facing movie theaters during a seminar hosted by the New York State Bar Association on Mar. 30. The event brought together Ira Deutchman, president at Deutchman Company and professor at Columbia University; Wendy Lidell, former senior vice president at Kino Lorber; and Carylanna Taylor, director of sales and acquisitions of The Film Sales Company. Lawrence Sapadin, business affairs attorney and co-chair of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section’s Motion Pictures Committee, served as moderator.
The discussion focused on declining movie attendance since 2002—a trend made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and growth in streaming services. Speakers said that with films appearing online soon after theatrical release, audiences have less incentive to visit cinemas. “The time horizon between the release and the streaming was so short, everybody understood it’s coming anyway,” said Lidell. “We knew that before, but it was a six-week wait, and if you wanted to be part of the conversation, you needed to go to the theater. Now, [it is on streaming] with just a couple of weeks.”
Despite these challenges, panelists pointed out positive developments for independent theaters that have adapted by creating unique experiences for local audiences. Lidell described efforts at Crandall Theatre in Chatham, New York: “In the last two months we had an Elvis impersonator… kid flicks where kids come and they make puppets… [and] a Rocky Horror Picture Show – people came and dressed up,” she said. “We have a book-to-film club where we show films based on books… So it becomes a cultural hub and a community center.”
Deutchman noted another shift: younger audiences are returning to theaters post-pandemic in greater numbers than before. “If you talk to anybody who’s running a movie theater right now… audiences are generally much younger than they were pre-pandemic,” he said. “The people who are buying the majority of tickets… are younger audiences.” He added that these viewers seek content not available elsewhere—often gravitating toward horror films as modern examples of “transgressive entertainment” once sought through other genres.
Taylor highlighted how special events such as film festivals or screenings with post-show discussions help build engagement outside traditional venues: “Oftentimes we could get a higher screening fee if we had a speaker afterwards or if there was a panel afterwards,” she said.
The seminar was sponsored by the association’s Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section along with its Motion Pictures Committee.
